MR FLEMING ON THE BLACKBALL STRIKE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14355, 27 October 1908, Page 2

MR FLEMING ON THE BLACKBALL STRIKE.

Sin,—ln this _ morning's C'hrktchurch, Press the following paragraph appears:— Our Dimedm . correspondent -telegraphs: Mr Fleming, in the course of his speech- at South Duncdin, defended tlio Hon. J. A, Millar in respect to his action over the Blackball, strike. Ho said that Mr George G. Stead's death'mado that problem difficult. H« (Mr Fleming) held proof conclusive that if Mr Stead had lived there- would have been no strike; tho trouble would have been setllcd in a few minutes. What 'I would like to know—if' the abovo paragraph is correct—is what "proof conclusive-" Mr Fleming holds to justify him in sayinir, that "if M.v G. G. Stoad had lived there would have been ' jio''strike"; the trouble would have been settled • in a few minutes," If ho is correctly reported, ■he Appears to he the modern personification of Rip van Winkle, and has just woko up in time for tho election. The Blackball striko lasted 11 weeks, and i personally interviewed Mr G. G. Stead m the ninth week of its duration." This tor, is 'proof conclusive" that tho Blackoa.ll strike was going on while Mr G. G. Stead, was living. What, then, does MiFleming mean by talking in the mannerreported? Are tho. electors io f South Dunedin to tako this public manifestation of ns knowledge of a Now Zealand industrial epoch such as the Blackball etriko as evidence of his knowledge of labour and social problems-; If so, the electors will know how to exercise, their votes, and give these aspiring political pirates short slirut.—l am, etc., . pi, •. i. ,' „ D ; mti K ' Pmtchabd. Ohristchuroh, October 23.